TENANTS in Ellesmere Port & Neston are a step nearer to a £70m investment in their homes, services and communities.

The Government has decided the borough council is one of 14 authorities to make it on to its housing transfer list.

All these councils will now consult their tenants on whether they want the transfer to go ahead.

The borough's proposal to transfer the ownership and management of its 6,000 homes to an independent housing organisation - set up by the council - would unlock £70m of investment over 10 years, if tenants vote in favour.

Borough housing officer Robert Selby said: 'We want our tenants to have improved homes, services and communities, but we simply don't have the money to give them what they want. However, transfer would give tenants what they have a right to expect.

'We believe transfer is the way forward and our application's acceptance on the list is a step closer to a brighter future for tenants.'

But the transfer is not a forgone conclusion.

It will only go ahead if the majority of tenants who vote in a secret ballot are in favour.

In the coming months tenants will receive all the information they need to make an informed decision on transfer when the time comes to vote.